Clifton Phone Directory Lookup
Clifton is a city in Passaic County with about 85,000 people. The Clifton phone directory gives you access to local government contacts, city office numbers, and public records information. Clifton is one of the most populated cities in New Jersey and has a large municipal government with many departments. This page shows you where to find phone numbers, how to request records, and what tools are available for searching the Clifton phone directory. Whether you need the city clerk, the police department, or another office, the information below will help you connect with the right people.
Clifton Quick Facts
Clifton City Clerk Phone Directory
The Clifton City Clerk is the main contact point for public records and phone directory searches. The office is at 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. You can call (973) 470-5825 to reach the clerk. The fax number is (973) 470-5264, and you can also send an email to opra@cliftonnj.org for records requests.
The clerk office in Clifton handles vital records, licenses, and public documents. They also serve as the custodian of records under OPRA. If you need a phone number for any city department, the clerk can transfer you or give you the direct line. Clifton has many departments due to its size, so starting with the clerk is the fastest way to get where you need to go in the phone directory.
| Office | Clifton City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Phone | (973) 470-5825 |
| Fax | (973) 470-5264 |
| opra@cliftonnj.org | |
| Address | 900 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ 07013 |
| OPRA Form | Clifton OPRA Request Form |
| City Clerk Page | cliftonnj.org/City-Clerk |
Note: Clifton accepts OPRA requests by email, fax, mail, or in person at City Hall.
How to Search Clifton Phone Numbers
Finding phone numbers in Clifton can be done a few different ways. The city website at cliftonnj.org lists contacts for each department. The OPRA form at cliftonpolice.org lets you submit a formal request for records. You can also use the statewide NJ OPRA Portal at njopraportal.com to file requests for Clifton records online.
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, government records in Clifton are open to the public. The city must respond to OPRA requests within seven business days. Certain records like budgets, contracts, and salary information must be made available right away. Phone directory data for Clifton offices falls into the category of basic public information that should be easy to get.
The Government Records Council at nj.gov/grc handles appeals when a records request is denied. You can reach the GRC at 866-850-0511. They mediate disputes between the public and records custodians, and their decisions set precedents for how OPRA applies across New Jersey, including in Clifton.
The NJ Government Records Council oversees public records access for all New Jersey municipalities including Clifton. Visit nj.gov/grc for complaint forms and past decisions.
The GRC site has a searchable database of past rulings that can tell you how similar requests were handled, which is useful if you run into problems getting Clifton phone directory information.
Clifton Directory and State Records
Some phone directory searches in Clifton lead to state-level offices. The New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health/vital handles vital records like birth, marriage, and death certificates. If you need to confirm a name or verify a person's connection to Clifton, these records can help. The fee is $25 for a first copy.
The New Jersey State Archives at nj.gov/state/archives keeps historical records from 1664 to the present. For Clifton families with deep roots in Passaic County, the Archives can be a gold mine. They hold over 37,000 cubic feet of documents and 32,000 reels of microfilm. Birth records go back to 1848, and marriage records to 1948. Access is free by appointment at 225 West State Street in Trenton.
For court records that may include phone numbers or addresses filed in legal cases, the New Jersey Courts system provides access. The eCourts portal lets you look up cases by name or docket number. Copy fees run five cents per page for standard copies and $15 extra for certified ones.
Phone Directory Rights in Clifton
Your right to access the Clifton phone directory is backed by state law. OPRA at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 says government records must be open. The law defines government records broadly to include paper documents, digital files, emails, and more. Phone directory information held by Clifton falls squarely within this definition.
Clifton must follow the same rules as every other city in the state. Responses are due in seven business days under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5. If you ask for phone numbers and the city does not respond on time, you can file a complaint. Penalties range from $1,000 for a first violation to $5,000 for a third offense within ten years under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-11.
Some records are restricted. Daniel's Law protects the personal information of judges and certain law enforcement officers. Personnel records are limited to basic details like name, title, and salary under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10. But standard Clifton phone directory entries for city offices, public services, and elected officials are not restricted.
Clifton residents who need help with a records request can also contact the GRC for free mediation. The mediation program helps resolve disputes before they go to a formal hearing. This saves time for both the person making the request and the Clifton records custodian.
Note: Commercial records requests in Clifton have a fourteen business day response window instead of seven.
Tips for Searching the Clifton Directory
When you search the Clifton phone directory, keep these tips in mind:
- Start with the city website for department contacts
- Call (973) 470-5825 for the clerk office
- Email opra@cliftonnj.org for formal records requests
- Use the NJ OPRA Portal for tracked online requests
- Check Passaic County offices for county-level records
Clifton has a large government with many moving parts. The phone directory for city services can change as staff come and go. Always confirm numbers through the city website or a direct call to the clerk. If you cannot find what you need on the website, an OPRA request gives you a legal right to get the information within a set time frame. The Clifton phone directory is a public resource that the city is required to keep available.
Passaic County Phone Directory
Clifton is part of Passaic County. The county government handles property records, court filings, and other public documents that may have phone numbers or addresses. For a broader search beyond Clifton, visit the Passaic County phone directory page for county-level contacts and services.